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Injured Josh McCown likely out for Steelers game

 
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 18: Quarterback Josh McCown #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers under pressure from cornerback Robert McClain #27 of the Atlanta Falcons after injuring his hand during a game at the Georgia Dome on September 18, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) 504234717
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 18: Quarterback Josh McCown #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers under pressure from cornerback Robert McClain #27 of the Atlanta Falcons after injuring his hand during a game at the Georgia Dome on September 18, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) 504234717
Published Sept. 21, 2014

TAMPA — Bucs fans wanting a change at quarterback — which aside from coach Lovie Smith might seem like everybody in the free world — likely will get their wish.

Josh McCown has a significantly sprained right thumb and will see a hand specialist Monday. All options remain open, but it's unlikely he will play next week at Pittsburgh.

If he's out, then for the second straight season Mike Glennon will take over as the starter with the Bucs 0-3.

McCown, 35, was 5-of-12 for 58 yards and an interception returned for a touchdown Thursday before leaving late in the first half of a 56-14 loss to the Falcons. It was the fourth interception in three games for McCown, who threw only one in eight games for the Bears last season.

Glennon went 17-of-24 for 121 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

The Bucs were wise not to entertain trade offers for Glennon in May. Considering the nature of the injury and the difficulty gripping the ball, it would not be surprising if McCown was lost for several weeks.

If not for the injury, Smith had no plans to pull the rip cord on McCown.

Smith believed McCown was the best fit when the team signed him to a two-year, $10 million contract and immediately named him the starter in March. But after three games, McCown is the 33rd-rated passer in the 32-team league.

The reason is the interceptions. They were the difference in losses to the Panthers and Rams. But it's ridiculous to blame all of the team's woes on McCown. The offensive line — with LG Logan Mankins unable to finish two games due to injury — has protected poorly. A bigger factor might be the heart procedure that took the play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford.

The team liked what it saw of Glennon on Thursday. While not as mobile as McCown, he has a better arm and showed poise in the pocket. Glennon's ability to drive the ball downfield to his outside receivers could help the running game. The team also expects to have RB Doug Martin (knee) and TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins (ankle) against Pittsburgh.

Don't expect the Bucs to do a 180 degree turn. Glennon went 4-9 as a starter last season, throwing 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions. If he were clearly better than McCown, they would've played the quarterback of the future in Week 1. His 5 yards per attempt against the Falcons won't win many games.

But it looks like Glennon will get another opportunity. What he does with it will impact the future.

COVER 2 HYSTERIA: After watching the Falcons hang 56 on the Bucs, there have been the usual cries that the Tampa 2 is a defensive philosophy whose time has passed.

First of all, it's a coverage — with two deep safeties — used by every team. And the 4-3, one-gap system using primarily zone coverage as a base defense is not unique to the Bucs.

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A couple of things to keep in perspective. The Panthers run precisely the same defense and were No. 2 in the NFL last season. In 2012, Smith's Bears were fifth in the league. The game hasn't changed that much in two years.

Most would agree DT Warren Sapp, LB Derrick Brooks, LB Hardy Nicker­son, S John Lynch and CB Donnie Abraham already were pretty good in 1996. But they allowed 27.3 points per game through the first three weeks, all losses. It takes time.

Injuries to DT Gerald McCoy and LB Mason Foster have been significant.

The Bucs have to get more sacks and turnovers. Those should come as soon as they know what they're doing. It's about the Jacks and Joes, not X's and O's.

Contact Rick Stroud at rstroud@tampabay.com and listen from 6 to 9 a.m. weekdays on WDAE-AM 620. Follow @NFLStroud.